Russian Dolls

Russian Dolls ***

"Russian Dolls" is a pleasant little French comedy, and a slightly better follow up to "L’Auberge espagnole," which was another pleasant little French comedy. But, now we get to find out what happens to these characters five years later. Five years earlier, they were all living together in an apartment in Spain, and now they have careers, and lives of there own. Once again, we follow Xavier, who is now a down on his luck writer, who goes from company to company trying to find a steady job, while at the same time trying to sell his novel, which is based on his experiences five years ago in said Spanish apartment. He BS’s his way through interviews, always "putting on a show" for the employer. He is also a womanizer, and doesn’t have any problem with bedding a woman one night, and then never calling them back. He’s an alright guy, though, and even watches his ex-girlfriends baby when she goes off to another country unannounced. Eventually, he gets a job writing the script for a television movie that is going to air during the holidays. It’s a cliche story-how two people end up becoming lovers, and he is told not to be scared of doing anything over the top. For example, lines like "I love you. . . I’ve always loved you. . ." The only problem is that the show will air on the BBC, and the script has to be written in English. So, Xavier travels to London to work on the script with an old friend from the apartment, Wendy. Wendy just broke up with her boyfriend, and when Xavier moves in, she is in the process of kicking him out of her place, and getting her key back. The two catch up, and over time, as they write this sappy love fest, they begin to feel attracted to one another. It’s all fine and dandy until he gets a second job, being the ghost writer for a twenty something year old model who wants to write her memoirs. Not having the ability to settle down with one person, a sort of triangle starts, but not your typical cliche love story triangle. Xavier needs to change his way, and go from a triangle to a straight line.

I would say that it is important to watch the first before seeing "Russian Dolls." Sure, this is a standalone story, but to appreciate the characters, and their relationships with one another, take the two hours and watch "L’Auberge espagnole." Together, the films are a lot of fun, and very good cultural pieces. One of the best things about "L’Auberge espagnole" was that it took place in a few different countries, with main characters of all different origins. It made you want to travel and see these places that they talk about. "Russian Dolls" has that same quality, but it also does a perfect job at following up the characters. "L’Auberge espagnole did not need a sequel, and it didn’t really have any loose ends to tie up, but "Russian Dolls" ends up being a welcome addition. It’s sweet, silly, and very enjoyable. I could watch a second follow up in five years, and I hope I will.